Mamata Banerjee Announces Financial Aid for Victims of Kolkata Hotel Fire

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced financial assistance for those affected by the hotel fire in central Kolkata that claimed 14 lives. Banerjee stated that the state government would provide an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 to those who sustained injuries in the blaze.

“My heart goes out to the victims of the fire incident that took place at a private hotel (Rituraj) in Burra Bazar area,” said Mamata Banerjee taking to social media platform “X”. “State Government will give an ex-gratia @ 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured persons will get 50,000/- each. Reiterate my condolences and solidarity,” she wrote on social media platform X. Banerjee said she was continuing to monitor the aftermath of the incident, which occurred at Hotel Rituraj in the Burrabazar area on Tuesday evening.

Banerjee commended the efforts of fire and police personnel in rescuing nearly 99 people from extremely difficult conditions.“Appreciate the Fire Services' and police efforts in rescuing around 99 persons from out of most adverse circumstances. Also thankful to the local people for their cooperation and help in rescue operations,” she added. The Chief Minister said initial reports suggested the victims had died due to suffocation or injuries sustained while trying to escape. “It has been preliminarily reported to me that those who died were victims of suffocation/ jumping etc. Further investigations are going on,” she noted.

The fire, which broke out in the Mechuapatti locality of Burrabazar, left 14 people dead, including a woman and two children. Thirteen others were injured, according to a senior police official.

Ranbir Kumar, Director General of the KMC Building Department, said the fire originated from a sink area on the first floor of the hotel and quickly spread upwards. He confirmed the building lacked a functioning fire safety system and its fire permit had not been renewed for several years. “There was no specific fire system installed in the hotel, and the fire permit was not renewed for several years. Some inflammable objects on the first floor led to the rapid spread of the fire,” he said after inspecting the site.

Governor of West Bengal, C V Ananda Bose, also expressed his condolences and urged the public to remain vigilant regarding fire safety. “We must all be aware of safety measures to avert such mishaps,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his sorrow over the tragic incident and announced financial relief for the victims through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister's Office stated on X. An ex gratia of ₹2 lakh would be provided to the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured, the PMO confirmed.​